Gun Nuts - Advice Needed

[nigel911]

Headline should work - know there are more than a few firearm enthusiasts on here - looking for a handgun and thought I'd ask those that know, here's where I am:

Budget - $500ish
For general use / home security / range
Must be compact as I have smaller hands and my wife will also be using it
Not a big fan of revolvers (no offense intended to revolver-ites)
Either 9mm or .45 but I'm thinking the 9mm might be better, again, wife using it
Must be dependable with manageable recoil and weight, wife etc
Preferably with manual safety

Current shortlist in no particular order - Walther PK380 (I know, different caliber), S+W MP-9, Sig SP2022, Walther PPS or Springfield XD Compact.

Over to you guys - thoughts, recommendations welcomed.

[weseeeee]

Not sure I qualify as a gun nut....well maybe so I'll give it a try. The S&W M&P-9 is a nice weapon that comes with different sized back straps that allow you to customize the grip size. It's a nice shooter with very controllable recoil. It's also in your price range. The others are all fine weapons but I'm most experienced with the Smith. Good luck and have fun.

[VINMAN]

I'm partial to the Smith M&P Although mines a .40

[masraum]

The XD compact won't be more compact to grip for folks with small hands. The group of the compact is just as big around as the other XD guns. The group is just shorter so it holds fewer bullets. I like the XD series and have had two.

The Smith and Wesson M&P seriesis also very similar and is, I believe, available with a safety. If you are considering an XD, then you may want to look at an M&P as well. I think both will be hard to find work a traditional safety (thumb lever). They both have trigger safeties. The XDM series has a grip safety. I believe both (base XD and M&P) can have a thumb safety, but I think that's pretty rare.

If you have small hands and the double stack guns seem big to you or the missus, then you may want to check out the M&P Shield which is a single stack 9mm. It has a thinner grip than the others, a trigger safety, a thumb safety, and is $400-$450. It's fairly popular, so you may have to check a few stores or check stores for a couple of weeks to get one.

[dan88911]

I was going to ask the same question nigel911.
I like the Walther PK380.
I have been planning to go a range and try a couple different guns.

[targa911S]

look at the sig p 238, and the ruger LC9 as well. I like the LC 9 and you can't beat Rugers customer service. Also made here in the USA.

[id10t]

S&W 39/59/39xx/59xx family - avoid the plastic.

The SCCY pistols are inexpensive, but not cheap. Buddy has one, no issues. I put 50 rounds thru his with no issues.

CZ75 and clones (TA90, Springfield P9, old model Jericho). I have small hands and the TA90 I had was the most comfortable full size 9mm I've ever held.

The Bersa is a good inexpensive gun.

Rock Island/Armscor makes an affordable 1911 in 9mm.

If you have patience, you can get a SIG in your price range as well.


All good pistols - I recommend heading to a gun show or a large shop or even better a range with rentals and get some fondle time in.

[Red88Carrera]

I've got an XDm compact .45 and a Ruger LCP .380. The XDm compact is a great size for EDC. The LCP is very hard to hold, and difficult to shoot accurately beyond 7 yards, but easily concealable.

[HHI944]

Originally Posted by targa911S

look at the sig p 238, and the ruger LC9 as well. I like the LC 9 and you can't beat Rugers customer service. Also made here in the USA.

Don't forget the Sig 938....same as the 238, just in 9mm....I've become quite fond of mine.

[targa911S]

the lc 9 is a much bigger gun than the lcp. Yes the 938 as well is a fine choice.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I have a Sig P250 subcompact in 9 mm. It's very nice to shoot and relatively easy to conceal, though a bit thick. Good grip angle, but your pinkie will hang off the end. I think they're around $500 new.

Best advice is to go shoot as many as possible, either by renting at the range or going with a buddy. For my first I thought I wanted a Glock until I held one, it was like trying to hold a brick. You'll learn a lot that way. I ended up with a Springfield 1911 which is fantastic to shoot, I find the .45 easier to control than the 9 mm, though it's more expensive all around and big.

[UconnTim97]

LC9 or Glock 9mm (19 or 26).

[nigel911]

Love this board - knew I'd get some good suggestions, cheers to all.

We have a new Cabela's that opened a week or so ago, apparently fully stocked and have most of the choices on the list - going to head down there tomorrow and fondle as many options as I can. Need to go anyway, I'm in one of the CO towns flooded last week - no gas, water, sewer until Christmas, majority of town under mandatory evac, roads trashed - P-cars are staying indoors.

Really like the M+P Shield, pretty much fits the bill with the manual safety and physical dimensions - think that one may well work. Unless they have a PPS... also like the Bersa Thunder Ultra Compact Pro but tricky to find and mixed reviews - anyone own any of these?

[targa911S]

My first choice would be a 1911. But I think that is over budget. LC 9 is still my first choice that fits all his criteria.

[targa911S]

LC9 on top LCP bottom

The Michael Bane Blog: Ruger LC9!

[jyl]

Keep in mind that, all other things being equal (same caliber, basic design, etc), the larger, heavier, longer barreled pistol will have less recoil than the smaller, lighter, more compact pistol.

The "big" gun maybe looks more intimidating but it is actually the reverse.

So if you don't intend to wear it under clothing, I would favor a full size pistol rather than a compact.

The other thing is, your wife needs to have the hand strength to cycle the slide. I think most women do, but if she has trouble opening jars, etc, it might be an issue.

[NutmegCarrera]

Got a P238 (.380ACP) as well as a P226 (9mm) Sig here.
The P226 is great to shoot, and accuracy is pretty good.
The P238 - not something to take to the range with high expectations, but very concealable and nice size.

Both are of extremely good quality, as well as nice designs. Very easy to strip, clean and reassemble.

I have had a Taurus PT-92, and loved it as well (but replaced with the P226).

Enjoy!

[nigel911]

Mmmm, like that LC9 - manual safety too. I'll add it to the list.

[nostatic]

Anything Sig is generally a safe bet. If you can find a used p225 that is great for smaller hands as it is single stack.

[Leland Pate]

A CPO (certified pre owned or factory reconditioned) Sig P228 or P229 in 9mm would be fantastic first hand gun.